Makerere University recently flooded headlines over the chaotic convocation elections held on Friday, December 30, 2022.
Alumni and staff of the great institution are united under the Makerere University Convocation, the association that intended to elect its new leaders for the new 4-year term of 2023-2027.
However, the electoral procedure was characterized by unprecedented mayhem that involved verbal and physical altercations amongst and or between voters, organizers and security operatives.
This prompted 7 out of the initial 9 contestants to pull out of the race. The latter included Superintendent of Police Jackson Mucunguzi, Gerald Karuhanga, Charles Odongotho, George Mugabi Turyamureeba, Tom Otim, Bateeze Daniel, Suuna Henry, Tibayingana Anthony and Byakatonda Abdul.
Tang Odoi, the outgoing President of the convocation oversaw the electoral process in a manner that least impressed most participants especially his refusal to postpone the election.
Most voters had requested the Chairperson and his team to reschedule the exercise so as to rectify the anomalies they had identified.
With only two candidates left in the race, complacent Odoi went on with the elections that saw George Mugabi Turyamureeba outshine Tom Otim with over 400 votes.
As of today, Turyamureeba’s victory hangs on a thread as other contestants resolved to go to court to contest the poll, arguing that it was marred with irregularities.
According to the petitioners’ lawyer, Erias Lukwago, he has been instructed by Charles Odongtho and Gerald Karuhanga among others, to challenge the Makerere University Convocation election result that saw George Mugabi Turyamureeba elected.
” You can take it from me that a decision has been taken and this process can not go unchallenged,” lawyer Erias Lukwago confirmed the petition.
However, the new chairperson George Mugabi Turyamureeba is not moved by this decision as he cited unpreparedness of his competitors as the main reason for the disorder.
“I started mobilizing for votes about two years ago but some of the challengers came in (for the race) late around November and December and found the ground hostile. They are using all means to discredit us,” Turyamureeba argued.
In the history of the Convocation, this year’s election has been the most contested and most vibrant. Unless otherwise, the new leaders are expected to start their four-year term of office in April 2023.
